Abstract: Systems and methods for mobile platform localization for a mobile platform. The system includes three independent ultra-wideband (UWB) sensors mounted on the mobile platform and a UWB localization module operationally coupled to the first UWB sensor, the second UWB sensor, and the third UWB sensor, and programmed by programming instructions to: identify first beacon UWB transmissions from a first beacon external to the mobile platform and generate a spatial location of the first beacon; identify second beacon UWB transmissions from a second beacon external to the mobile platform and generate a spatial location of the second beacon; identify third beacon UWB transmissions from a third beacon located external to the mobile platform; and generate a spatial location of the mobile platform, as a function of the spatial location of the first beacon, the spatial location of the second beacon, and the spatial location of the third beacon.

Abstract: A hood and bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a hood assembly, and a hinge about which the hood assembly rotates between an open position and a closed position. A bumper bracket is secured to a fixed support of the vehicle, and a bumper is located between the bumper bracket and the hood assembly to absorb an impact force of the hood assembly. The bumper bracket is configured to release from the fixed support when the impact force exceeds a preselected threshold to dissipate the impact force. A bumper assembly for a hood of a vehicle includes a bumper bracket secured to a fixed support of the vehicle, and a bumper positioned between the bumper bracket and the hood to absorb an impact force. The bumper bracket is configured to release from the fixed support when the impact force exceeds a preselected threshold to dissipate the impact force.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a virtual view of a virtual camera based on an input image are described. A system for generating a virtual view of a virtual camera based on an input image can include a capturing device including a physical camera and a depth sensor. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an actual pose of the capturing device; determine a desired pose of the virtual camera for showing the virtual view; define an epipolar geometry between the actual pose of the capturing device and the desired pose of the virtual camera; and generate a virtual image depicting objects within the input image according to the desired pose of the virtual camera for the virtual camera based on an epipolar relation between the actual pose of the capturing device, the input image, and the desired pose of the virtual camera.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a battery includes a middle layer made of an electrically conductive perforated mesh having a top surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of interconnected electrically conductive segments and a plurality of perforations among adjacent ones of the interconnected segments. A top layer of an electrode material is disposed on the top surface, and a bottom layer of the electrode material is disposed on the bottom surface, such that the top and bottom layers are disposed in physical contact with each other through the perforations in the middle layer. A method of manufacturing the electrode structure includes providing the layer of perforated mesh, applying the top and bottom layers of electrode material to the top and bottom surfaces, and curing the top and bottom layers of electrode material using one or more of heat, electromagnetic radiation and convection to produce a layer of cured electrode structure.

Abstract: A method to form a magnesium article includes: heating materials including magnesium, aluminum, manganese and tin in a furnace to create an alloy having a composition of; the magnesium in an amount greater than or equal to 90% by weight of the materials; the aluminum ranging between approximately 2.0% up to approximately 4.0% by weight of the materials; the manganese ranging between approximately 0.43% up to approximately 0.6% by weight of the materials; and the tin ranging between approximately 1% up to approximately 3% by weight of the materials; chill casting the alloy to create a cast billet; and heating the cast billet at a temperature ranging from approximately 380° C. up to approximately 420° C. and maintaining the temperature for a time period between approximately 4 hours to 10 hours to homogenize element distribution.

Abstract: A rotor core for an electric motor includes a core stack including a plurality of identical lamination plates, each lamination plate including a plurality of magnet slots formed therein, the magnet slots of each of the lamination plates axially aligned and adapted to support a plurality of permanent magnets therein, and a plurality of heat conductive inserts extending axially through the core stack and adapted to conduct heat from inner portions of the core stack outward toward distal ends of the core stack.

Abstract: An augmented reality head-up display system for displaying graphics upon a windscreen of a vehicle includes a controller in electronic communication with one or more non-visual object detection sensors, one or more image-capturing devices, and a graphic projection device. The controller executes instructions to receive a plurality of detection points that indicate a presence of an object from the one or more non-visual object detection sensors. The controller executes instructions to compare the plurality of detection points with the image data of the environment surrounding the vehicle to identify a visually imperceptible object located in the environment. In response to identifying the visually imperceptible object, the controller determines a notification symbol that signifies the visually imperceptible object. The notification symbol is overlaid at a position upon the windscreen where the visually imperceptible object would normally be visible.

Abstract: A method of testing a braking system for an automotive vehicle that includes a master cylinder, a brake booster, a plurality of brake assemblies, a plurality of inlet valves, each inlet valve adapted to selectively allow brake fluid to flow into one of the plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of outlet valves, each outlet valve adapted to selectively allow brake fluid to flow from one of the brake assemblies to a brake fluid reservoir, the method includes testing a first one of the plurality of inlet valves, testing a first one of the plurality of outlet valves, and sending diagnostic information to a controller within the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An engine for a vehicle. The engine includes a cast engine block having a hybrid insert disposed in a fastener bore having rolled internal threads. The hybrid insert includes an internal surface having cut inner diameter (ID) threads and an external surface having rolled outer diameter (OD) threads. The rolled OD threads of the hybrid insert are received in the rolled internal threads of the fastener bore. The hybrid threaded insert may include a bi-metal in which the ID threads are formed of one metal alloy and the OD threads are formed of another metal alloy. Alternatively, the external surface of the hybrid insert may define locking features and the engine block is cast onto these locking features, thereby locking the hybrid insert to the engine block.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of making a negative electrode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The method includes centrifugally distributing a precursor including silicon, lithium, and an additional metal (M) selected from the group consisting of: aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), cerium (Ce), and combinations thereof by contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles that include Li4.4xSixMy, where x is greater than 0 to less than or equal to about 0.85 and y corresponds to a weight percent of M that is greater than or equal to 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 10 wt. %.

Abstract: An electrical energy management system includes a first battery having a nominal operating voltage, a second battery having a charging voltage sufficiently close to the nominal operating voltage of the first battery such that the first battery can charge the second battery when the first battery and the second battery are electrically connected in parallel, a generator that is controllable to provide a variable output voltage, a starter motor, an electrical load, a plurality of switches each controllable to be in an open state or a closed state, and a controller that is configured to control the output voltage of the generator and to control the open or closed state of each of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A system and method of increasing a cooling rate of a metal sand casting during solidification. The system includes a 3-D printed manufactured sand mold defining a mold cavity, a coolant inlet port extending into the manufactured sand mold, a myriad of coolant passageways surrounding a portion of the mold cavity, and a coolant outlet port in fluid communication with the coolant passageways. The system further includes a coolant vapor extraction system having a collection manifold in fluid connection with the outlet port of the sand mold. A molten metal is poured into the mold cavity and a liquid coolant is introduced into the sand mold. The liquid coolant changes state into a gas phase as it permeates through the sand mold, thereby increasing the cooling rate of the casting. The liquid coolant may be that of a liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first pouch battery cell and a neighboring second pouch battery cell. The battery module also includes a dielectric fluid in direct contact with and in circulation over and around each of the first and second pouch cells. The battery module additionally includes an immersion barrier positioned between the first and second pouch cells and defining an opening for controlling passage of the dielectric fluid between the first and the second pouch cells. The barrier thereby facilitates localization of a thermal runaway event in the first pouch cell by minimizing transfer of high temperature gases between the first and the second pouch cells via the dielectric fluid and controls propagation of the thermal runaway event in the module. The battery module further includes an enclosure housing and retaining each of the first and second pouch cells, the dielectric fluid, and the immersion barrier.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition for use in a battery system including a silicon-based negative electrode having active material particles is provided. The electrolyte composition includes a polar solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, sulfolane, ?-butyrolactone, and combinations thereof and at least one lithium salt dissolved in the polar solvent at a concentration of at least 2 moles of the at least one lithium salt per 1 liter of the polar solvent. The at least one lithium salt and the polar solvent add dipoles to the electrolyte composition configured for reducing an electric field present at a surface of each of the active material particles in the silicon-based negative electrode of the battery system.

Abstract: A method for constant pressure regulation of battery cells includes disposing the cells in a stacked arrangement within a battery cell placement volume of an apparatus configured to maintain a constant pressure on the cells, providing a gas pressure within a chamber of the apparatus, thereby causing an initial pressure to be applied on the battery cells, and detecting an expansion of the battery cells during a predetermined timespan using a linear displacement sensor. During the predetermined timespan, if the detected expansion is less than a maximum allowable expansion minus a predetermined measurement error, then the gas pressure within the chamber is increased, and if the detected expansion is greater than the maximum allowable expansion plus the predetermined measurement error, then the gas pressure within the chamber is decreased. An apparatus for constant pressure regulation of battery cells is also provided.

Abstract: A distribution method and system for a plurality of fuel cell systems (FCSs) configured to provide electrical energy. The distribution being configured for determining a demand of a load for the electrical energy and correspondingly implementing a powering operation. The powering operation executing a startup operation according to a startup order specified for one or more secondary FCSs of the FCSs. The powering operation including individually performing the startup operations for each of the secondary FCSs according to the startup order, and while each of the second FCSs are performing the startup operation, controlling another one or more of the FCSs to mask a power variance associated therewith.